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Click here or scroll down to respond to this candidateKelly A. Nickerson RN, BSNRegistered Nurse, Bachelor of Science, Go forth and NursePHONE NUMBER AVAILABLEEMAIL AVAILABLEOBJECTIVEAmbitious Board Certified Registered Nurse with an exceptional background of performance. Offer a solid foundation in diagnostics and triage, patient assessment, exceptional clinical skill set, and evaluating patient progress toward anticipated outcomes. Demonstrates critical thinking, empathy, attention to details, top notch communication and interpersonal skills. Passionate patient advocate working with diverse patient populations. EXPERIENCEPsychiatric Registered Nurse, Cell Staff, Oregon State Hospital SEPTEMBER 2022 - CURRENT Provide medical, psychiatric care, and treatment for patients. Support patients as they progress through stabilization. Address the needs of patients with challenging mental illness. Respond to potentially dangerous emergent psychiatric situations. Facilitate wellness groups with the goal of providing a safe and secure therapeutic environment. Administer medications as ordered by the provider, develop nursing plans of care, complete assessments, and collaborate with IDT.Psychiatric Registered Nurse, Unity Behavioral Health, The PES SEPTEMBER 2022 - CURRENT Provide immediate psychiatric care and develop a path to stabilization and recovery for individuals experiencing mental health crises. Administer and monitor medications, emergency IM injections, perform veni-puncture labs draws, and EKGs. Manage the milieu environment ensuring a safe place for trauma based patients. Deliver trauma informed care.Psychiatric Registered Nurse, Cedar Hills Psychiatric Hospital MARCH 2022 - SEPTEMBER 2022 Provide nursing care to adults facing acute behavioral health crises. Provide mental health support for patients suffering from mental health disorders, substance abuse or coexisting disorders. Oversee and administer medications, monitor patients, and create and modify care plans. Provide support to patients with suicidal. Ideation or recent attempt. Acute Care Registered Nurse, Pierpoint International Staffing, Vibra LTAC Specialty Care OCTOBER 2021 - MARCH 2022 Provide nursing care to critically unstable patients in a fast paced, acute care setting. Prepare and administer oral, IV, and IM injections. Monitor patient reactions. and record medications. Respond to life-saving situations following protocol Nurse Consultant, Poppywood Adult Foster HomeAPRIL 2019 - APRIL 2022 Designed an adult care website, increasing sales by 75%. Created system processes attaining 100% survey compliance. Initiated NEO training program, increasing retention by 50%. Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify care plans.1RN Case Manager, Supplemental Health CareJUNE 2021- OCTOBER 2021 Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined the next course of action. Managed complex care from admission to discharge. Increased referral rates by 25%, providing excellent service and building meaningful relationships with patients and caregivers.RN Injection Case Manager, BrightStarrJANUARY 2020 - JUNE 2020 Developed and maintained quality care systems, standardized and implemented medical protocols. Administered oral, IV, and intramuscular medications, including PICC, central lines. Maintained infection control logs, streamlined charting process, and improved patient outcomes. Built solid, trusting relationships with staff and patient families, generating positive PR through extra efforts in care treatment and one-on-one communications.Registered Nurse, Case Manager, Assured Home Health, LLC JULY 2018 - JANUARY 2019 Managed caseload for 30 patients; supervised 2 LPNs, 2 HHA, PT, OT, and MSW. Created person-centered care plans with ongoing monitoring for change of condition and or stabilization. Promoted autonomy through wellness, education, medication management, and disease processes. Reduced hospital readmissions by implementing the Bridges program, closing the gap between home care and clinic. Clinical Supervisor, Bristol HospiceJANUARY 2017 - JULY 2018 Monitored day-to-day operations of the hospice staff. Clinical oversight, implementation, and ongoing assessment of the hospice Plan of Care. Responsible for weekly Interdisciplinary Group Team Meetings (IDG/IDT). Contributed to organizational growth initiatives as active member of patient education and procedural committees, along with preceptor duties instructing new nurses in crisis intervention, medication administration and end-of-life preparation. Operations Manager and Clinical Director, Elite Care, LLC JUNE 2016 - APRIL 2017 Implemented NEW Hire Training, increasing employee retention by 15%. Launched a new medication passing system decreasing overall facility medication errors by 75%. Identified nurses and staff training needs and devised training programs to close gaps. Initiated new policies and educated staff on changes while preparing for State Surveys. Hospice Registered Nurse, Case Manager, KaiserMAY 2012 - JUNE 2016 Pioneered the development of an improved system for scheduling admissions, reducing patient churn by 6%. Participated in JCAHO survey with resultant score of 95 % with commendation. Ensured department readiness by maintaining stringent quality standards and safety precautions. Adeptly handled all aspects of treatment; provided counseling and education in disease management, chronic illness, and end-of-life care. Exceeded hospice national benchmarks while slashing department surplus costs by $75,000.00 per quarter. Collaborated with multidisciplinary team members, working closely with physicians, nurses, technicians and therapists to formulate, implement and modify individual care plans. Nickerson, K. RN, BSN Portfolio 2023 2INTERESTSGardeningLandscapingRocksBirdsPaintingSOFT SKILLSActive listeningConstructive CriticismTransferable SkillsInterpersonal communicationEmotionally GroundedHARD SKILLSMonitoring vital signsPatient & family educationPatient safetyTechnology skillsElectronic ChartingWEBSITEhttps://adultcarehome.wordpress.comEDUCATIONOREGON HEALTH & SCIENCEUNIVERSITY, Bachelor of Science,Major in NursingSEPTEMBER 2007 - 2011Student Body GovernmentClass Senator OregonStudent NursesAssociation (OSNA), CommunityHealth Outreach Director.PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY,Associate Degree in WomensStudiesJUNE 2010 - JUNE 2011Thesis: Women and Children inViolence.AWARDSEducator of the Year Award,OSHU - 2010Elenora Thompson LeadershipAward, OHSU - 2011Volunteer of the Year Award,OHSU - 2011Community Health OutreachCERTIFICATES OFACHIEVEMENTCertified BLS, American HeartAssociation, 2023OASIS Training, 2019HIV Prevention & Educator, 2018Culturally Competent, 2018Kaiser Clinical Ladder, 2016Wound Care 2017-2018OHSU Cum laude, 2011 HealthcareAdministrator, 2017Nickerson, K. RN, BSN Portfolio 2023 3October 19, 2023Dear HiringManager,Instead of writing a traditional cover letter, I asked myself personal questions about my nursing experiences. I have answered these questions in a way that demonstrates my passion for nursing and fosters patient advocacy. Kelly A. Nickerson RN, BSNMy WhyAs one of the first students to graduate from The Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education Program (OCNE) at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) school of nursing in 2011, and a recipient of the coveted Educator and Volunteer of the Year Award, I took my first step into the nursing profession. I embodied Florence Nightingale's pledge the moment I walked across the Keller auditorium. Throughout my career, I have focused on developing my skill set and my practice in as many areas as possible. Among my nursing experience are corrections, hospice and end-of-life care, acute care, and mental health. As part of the healthcare change at the policy level, I authored a resolution involving nursing curriculum reform across the nation and developed training modules for caregivers and nurses. My resume demonstrates the breadth of my experience. Corrections at the Washington County Jail in Hillsboro, Oregon, was where I succeeded in getting my first job directly out of nursing school. The inmates would chant "Nick-er-son, Nick-er-son" as I passed through the pods pulling the med cart. They felt the effects of the medication for the first time when I made a spacer out of a paper dixie cup by using my pen to pop out just enough of the bottom to fit the mouthpiece of their inhalers. An inmates condition altered, and he fell sick. I discovered during my examination that he had been diagnosed with liver carcinoma previous to his arrest. He required end-of-life care, according to hospice. I gave a man who was imprisoned excellent end-of-life care; after all, it is not for me to judge why he ended up there. "What did I do to deserve this kind of care?" he asked me as he was taking his last breath. "Everyone deserves this kind of care. I applied for a Hospice Case Manager position with Kaiser Continuing Care Services while I was employed at the jail. The lead nurse, who would subsequently serve as my mentor and manager, informed me at the end of the panel interview that I was one of several experienced nurses interviewing, and that if I heard from them, it would be to seek another interview in a few weeks. Kaiser called to congratulate me on my new job as soon as I got into my driveway! I worked as a hospice care manager and as a corrections nurse for a while. As a new nurse, I saw how important self-care was right away, and I quit as a corrections nurse. The hospice organization, who taught me all I needed to know about hospice nursing. While I supported the family and close friends who had loved ones with terminal diagnosis, I provided quality care. I gained expertise in managing symptoms and pain. In addition to being a case manager, I was a unit-based team coordinator from 2012 to 2016. I led a project to restructure the admissions procedure and forged an alliance with medical equipment, which resulted in $75,000 quarterly cost savings for Kaiser. Eventually, I decided to leave frontline nursing and work for Bristol Hospice as a Clinical Supervisor. I oversaw a team of six nurses, two MSWs, two hospice aides, a chaplain, and a doctor. In my role as a supervisor, I helped the nurses with documentation, admissions, discharges, and fielded call inquiries. We created quality metrics, achieved national standards, and saw a 90% increase in customer satisfaction. In January 2019, my mothers COPD worsened; from the hospital to hospice, I provided care for my mother as she journeyed to the end of her life. I worked PRN jobs, injectable RN, nurse consultant, and many other temporary contracts throughout this period. My mother became my priority, so the temporary jobs were ideal. My mother's passing has permanently altered my life. I was enmeshed in my sadness and could not continue providing hospice care. Following my introspection, I took some time to process my loss. I renovated my mother's home during the break I took from work. These days, I have more tools than I do nursing supplies. I installed a flagstone patio, built columns, placed bricks, installed sheetrock and drywall, and cut and Nickerson, K. RN, BSN Portfolio 2023 4installed crown molding all by myself. After completing my efforts, I made the website "She sheet rocks" to help other women who want to rebuild but are unsure of how to accomplish it. After COVID I went back to work full-time as a charge nurse in a mental health facility. I experienced a strong case of dj vu during the interview. When I was twelve years old, I saw my older brother's admission to Cedar Hills Hospital (CHH) from this lobby. I rarely divulge private information in interviews, nevertheless I felt compelled. Tragically, my older brother suffered an array of mental health illnesses, including but not limited to PTSD, insomnia, and night terrors. Because of this, he committed suicide in 2002. It was his birthday, March 10, when I started my job at CHH. Some think of it as a sign, whereas others call it a coincidence. The message was extremely clear. My new purpose was to redirect my heartbreaking loss to support those who suffered from psychological disorders because of unresolved trauma. Not fully satisfied with my current role at CHH as a charge nurse, I found a behavioral health facility that provided ER services. I applied for the RN Emergency Nurse position in Unity Behavioral Health in the Psychiatric Emergency Services Department (The PES). A couple of days later, I received a job offer. Then, as part of the massive hiring for agency nurses at Oregon State Hospital, I began my next endeavor. As the charge nurse on 21 different units, I was challenged to provide care to highly acute patients with severe untreated mental illness coupled with substance abuse and addiction, waiting on evaluations to aid in their own defense. Through this experience I utilized de-escalation skills from CPI and Wells training to avoid codes. In this role I took every opportunity to provide life skills and coping techniques using DBT therapy flashcards. Some things I learned along the wayI've been a nurse for thirteen years, and every shift is filled with "ah ha" moments. Active listening and thorough evaluation have been the main sources of my profound learning. I discovered early in my career that building a connection of trust and rapidity with my patients came from being true to myself. I also discovered how crucial consistency is. Even though every circumstance is different, routines develop, and stability is created when standards are followed. Building rapport with patients is facilitated by meeting them where they are, showing up without passing judgment, constantly listening, and always being compassionate. I also discovered that it's okay to ask questions and seek assistance. I once heard from an experienced nurse that a skilled nurse is never without questions. A wise Myan Man wrote the Four Agreements. I abide by these commitments in my personal life: 1. Always do your best,2. Never take it personally,3. Be impeccable with your word,4. Do not make assumptions. My kindergartner added #5. 5. Do the right thing even when no one is watching. By incorporating these five guidelines into my work, I could demonstrate the transformative potential of seemingly straightforward ideas with my choices. It feels incorrect, most likely it is. When it begins to drizzle, cover the sheetrock and avoid typing anything significant online without first producing the document in a software. Finally, treat everyone you work with benevolence, especially your patients; we could be their final encounter before they decide to live or die, especially in the realm of mental health.A specific time when I assessed a client due to change in presentation and the action I took, using the nursing process. Five patients are cared for by a nurse at a time at the Psychiatric Emergency Service (The PES). After arriving at Unity and being left in the parking lot unconscious, they admitted one of my assigned patients (code M). He was hurried through triage and taken to a seclusion room. The Medical Director called me on my voicera and asked that I take on this medically delicate patient on top of my already heavy caseload. I started my evaluation first, made a timetable for my assessments and put reminders on my voicera. He was lethargic and unresponsive when I initially saw the patient for the first time. To obtain a response, I had to use the sternum rub technique. There was a slow, thready pulse along with a drop in blood pressure. I questioned the doctor about getting a CBC and CMP, an ammonia level, along with an EKG after reporting my clinical observations. I went over the test data and spoke with the MD about the aberrant findings. In order to provide this patient with Nickerson, K. RN, BSN Portfolio 2023 5medical care, we started the appropriate protocol right away. This patient returned to baseline after hours of continuous care, taking VS, and careful observation. The Medical Director publicly recognized my efforts by emailing the entire department! On 6/7/23 Dr. Hadley wrote "RN Kelly N. - The care of a patient that came in unresponsive last night. Thanks to her vigilant and dedicated nursing care she got the patient to wake up, take fluids and food, and get labs and EKG she singlehandedly prevented an unnecessary transfer to LEMC!One of the most rewarding client care experiences I have had and the reasons it was rewarding. My child had sexual assault in 2020 and started self-harming. Out of desperationIn and an attempt to dissuade my child, I designed a "self-harm" wheel; an activity aimed at stopping self-harm. My eleven-year-old utilized the wheel for the first time, and the outcome was fantastic! No longer engaging in self-harm, my child was getting better. It was an incredible triumph! I then began using the wheel at work, when a patient showed that she wanted to hurt herself. With excitement in her voice, she returned to the nurse's station and exclaimed, "Kelly, you have to trademark this!" "IT REALLY WORKS!" My patient no longer desired self-harm. If my kid and one patient benefited from the self-harm wheel, imagine the number of others this activity may help. I've constructed three self-harm wheels so far, and I'm applying for a grant right now to make more.One of the most difficult client care experiences I have had and the reasons it was difficult. As a hospice nurse, I worked with a woman who had three children. Her first child committed suicide, and the other two, a brother and a sister, were 13 months apart. The sister was the youngest of the three. The son never paid his mother a visit; the daughter was the primary caretaker. When I arrived one day, I saw the girl sobbing beside her mother's bed. She was worn out and unable to handle her mother's suffering. After all, she had no support whatsoever from friends or family. My patient felt comfortable after I repositioned her and administered pain medication. I stayed with the daughter rather than ending my visit and going on to my next patient. Active listening helped me pinpoint the cause of the problem. The recommended dosage drugs were ambiguous. She hadn't ever been certain which medication to use and could not see the translucent liquid drug through the syringes. She hesitated to give too much and ended up offering less. Together, we cleared the side table. I requested masking tape and four cups. Next, I removed a few empty syringes, a sharpie pen, and food coloring from my nursing bag. I pre-drew the medication up into the syringes after adding two drops of each color to the prescription bottles. I used cups to keep the colored drugs separated. Next I wrote the medication's name, dosage, and symptom it was intended to treat on the cups' labels. The familial dynamics of my patient were identical to mine. My mother, also diagnosed with late stages of COPD. She had three children; my oldest brother (who committed suicide) and my other brother and I are 13 months apart, me being the youngest. I foresaw my family's lives as they flashed forward. Organizing, educating, normalizing my patient's death, and preparing the daughter to process her unguided grief helped me prepare for the profound loss I was about to embark upon.Last but not least, one of Maya Angelou's best quotations supports my caring philosophy and permeates my personal life as well. They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel. ~~ Maya Angelou. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you to discuss the next steps. Sincerely,Kelly A. Nickerson RN, BSNNickerson, K. RN, BSN Portfolio 2023 6Kelly A. Nickerson RN, BSNRegistered Nurse, Bachelor of Science, Go forth and Nurse ACCOMPLISHMENTS In less than 12-months, received a promotion from RN Case Manager to Unit base team lead RN. Drove a patient skin breakdown project with an improvement rate of 90% in less than six months using the PDSA process. Researched and measured data, created a process, designed a trifold for nurse education; the results changed how our department ordered DMW equipment while cutting surplus by $75,000 per quarter. Designed and implemented a highly effective med passing system which significantly decreased med errors by 75% and impacted efficiency while improving operations. Played an integral role in developing and executing the Sexual Assault Nurse Examinator (SANE) program throughout the Providence Emergency Departments. Spearheaded a Train the Trainer program for caregivers and Hospice Nurses. Implemented a quarterly skills lab to help new nurses improve their ability and dexterity with IV initiation and increasing skill sets by 80%. Clinical Ladder, Tier III (COPIES PROVIDED UPON REQUEST). Masterminded a Chronic Film Festival and generated a website with templates for student nurses to learn from the power of film. (See attached article). Preceded and mentored activity and development of new hires (10 nursing professionals). Organized and led multiple teams, raised $5,700 by participating in multiple walks for life to support various health conditions; Alzhiemers, Cancer, and HIV just to name a few. Represented OSNA, as the Community Health Outreach Director, initiated multiple local and school health fairs, promoting health and well being. Thoughtfully planned and skillfully executed clean needle exchange program to promote harm reduction, distributing over 1,000 clean syringes reducing infection by 50%. Partnered with Buckman Elementary School in Healthy Hearts Clean Hands month by educating children through fun and playful mediums; created passports for the kids as they traveled to each station. We had a blast! Give a Pint - Get a Pint, Blood Drive, networked with the American Heart Association (AHA), by organizing a blood drive partnering AHA with Ben & Jerrys Ice Cream, donated over 5,000 pints! Researched and compiled daily operation reports and patient statistical data for hospital admission and utilization review (UR) coordinator; analyzed data and reduced hospital admissions by 62% with targeted dates. Nickerson, K. RN, BSN Portfolio 2023 7Story for OHSU MomentumFall 2011By Lee Lewis HuskJournalist for OSHUStudent Nurse Uses Film to Teach about Chronic Illness Lifes experiences can profoundly affect our decisions. With Kelly Nickerson, it was the death of her brother and the birth of her child. In both instances, nurses played pivotal roles. According to Nickerson, her brother had psychiatric mental health issues. He struggled in and out of psychiatric units for many years. In 2004, sadly, he took his own life. Nurses helped me through this difficult time; answering my countless questions, or taking my calls late at night; making me at ease. Their dedication to patients and families amplified a way of giving back to the community. When her child was born with asthma, nurses taught her how to provide medical care and normalized the chronic illness.Employed with a State of the Art Alternative to Assisted Living, Nickerson lived on campus; she embodied the philosophy of extended family. This forward-thinking assisted living cemented her decision to become a nurse. The estate owners in Milwaukie, Or., hired Nickerson to help them design a community they would want to live in when they become sacred elders. She liked the philosophy, and the grounds were covered by 6 acres of edible landscape. What a perfect place to raise her child! With a live-in apartment available, Nickerson and her young child moved in and spent the past five years living among the residents, many of whom suffer from dementia or feelings of isolation.People in these settings do not need quiet; they need a life with interaction, she says.Nickerson resigned from her role as the Marketing Director at Oatfield Estates in 2007 to pursue her dream. She enrolled in the class of 2007, nursing school. Now, age 40, Nickerson has her Bachelors degree from OHSUs School of Nursing.During the chronic illness course, Nickerson observed: The vast majority of students were not quite comprehending the magnitude of how Nickerson, K. RN, BSN Portfolio 2023 8chronic illness affects patients. As nurses, how can we provide more robust care? She decided to bring field experts and novice nurses to learn together through the power of film. She organized this powerful learning event to provide nursing students a realistic portrayal of living with a chronic illness, such as Alzheimers, Schizophrenia, and a compromising moral and ethical decision regarding organ transplants.The role a nurse has in the chronic illness arena is paramount to how well a patient manages their illness, says Nickerson. The festival occurred over three evenings in the winter of 2010 at the OHSU student media center. Each chronic illness topic had a special guest speaker to facilitate an engaging discussion following the film. The first evening was small and intimate, the next film bringing in a much larger crowd, and the third night filled the entire house. Nickerson says the next series of films will occur in 2012 at the McMenamins Kennedy School, which has a food menu and a more significant movie theater to house the crowd.She hopes the chronic film festival can go nationally. It is too powerful to stay in Oregon,'' she says. Everyone needs to see it, touch it, or be inspired by it in some way.Like many great ideas, they often fade away when the creator moves on. Nickerson wanted to share her event planning with her colleagues so other student nurses would not have to work as hard. She designed a website with templates for invitations, posters, how to organize the event, booking the venue, gratitude letters, right to the execution of the event. Nickerson said everything needed to execute a Chronic Film Festival is available on the School of Nursing website. For her creation of the film festival and as the senior class Senator and Activity Coordinator for the Student Nurses Association, Nickerson won the coveted OHSU Student 2010 Educator of the Year Award, an honor that only one OHSU student.As for Nickersons future, she found a love for mental health and emergency nursing. The emergency department is the gateway to the community, and if I can, for even a moment, touch someones life, I am fulfilled.Nickerson, K. RN, BSN Portfolio 2023 9ToTo Whom It May Concern:I am writing this recommendation on behalf of Kelly Nickerson. I am currently a full-time practicing nurse at Portland Providence Medical Center and a trained preceptor for student nurses and new graduates for the Emergency Department. Through this position I have had the opportunity to orient some really great new nurses into the ER, and Kelly was a genuinely compassionate, responsible, and reliable nursing major who reflects the characteristics that define a nurse.Kelly has an enthusiastic approach to understanding the whys of patient care. She is not satisfied to settle for the answer, that is just how we do things. Kelly truly wants to understand pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, and appropriate interventions. Emergency nursing can be intimidating for new nurses, and as a new nurse Kelly was excited to take on the challenge. During the course of her practicum, and after she graduated, Kelly was enthusiastic to try every new task. Kelly became proficient in advanced specialty nursing skills such as IV starts, blood draws, mini-catheters and foley catheters, interpreting ECGs, telemetry monitoring, delivering nebulizer treatments for severe shortness of breath, participating in code team work, etc. Kelly also learned how to think like a triage nurse and she learned to gather data and make informed assessments and interventions for complex patient scenarios. Besides the technical skills, Kelly has a compassionate heart for patient care. I watched in amazement as Kelly confidently comforted patients and family members through very tough situations from suicidal ideation, to newly found life-threatening diagnosis. In the in-between times, Kelly was looking for ways to help out other team members, and to seek out new experiences. I find that I can help people learn the technical skills required to be proficient in the ER, but the communication skills, the compassion, the teamwork mentality, and the respect that Kelly has for her patients/coworkers is something I cannot teach. Kelly embodies these traits as a person, and it shows in her patient care.I truly am grateful for the experience of precepting Kelly Nickerson. As a preceptor I feel that the experience is so rewarding when I get to work with someone like Kelly. Kelly inspires me to be a better nurse. The ER experience Kelly obtained is a great foundation for the beginning of her nursing career. Kelly will truly be an asset and a team player to any nursing endeavor she takes on. Sincerely,Erin SelfPPMC RN, BSN, CEN, Clinical Ladder IVNickerson, K. RN, BSN Portfolio 2023 10March 10, 2020Re: Kelly Nickerson, RNTo Whom It May Concern:It is without hesitation that I offer this character reference for Ms. Kelly Nickerson. Kelly was previously under my direct supervision for approximately 3 years when I served in the capacity of Kaiser Permanente Hospice Team Manager. I hired Kelly as a new graduate after what could only be described as the best job interview Ive been a party to. This bright, motivated, energetic new |
